Govt Audits Mining Sector

The government of Ghana is currently carrying out a technical and financial audit of the operations of the mining industry, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has said.

Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, 11 September 2019 that to ensure sanity in the mining industry and optimum benefit to the people of Ghana as well as investors, the ministry is mandated by law to ensure prudent management in the mining sub-sector.

In this regard, he said “government is carrying out technical and financial audits of the operations of the mining industry.

“As I speak, the government is looking into the operations of the sole manganese producer in the country to ensure that the company operates within laid-out regulations and also to find out their operational challenges.

“Unfortunately, the outcome of the audit resulted in a disagreement between the operator and the government. To resolve the issue, the government constituted a committee made up of some senior staff and leaders of worker unions of the firm and that of government.
“The committee was mandated to look into the issues and advise the government accordingly. As I speak, the committee has submitted its report and is receiving the necessary attention.”
He added: “As a follow-up to the outcome of the technical and financial audit, the government is installing weigh bridges at vantage points along high ways between production sites and the Harbour.

“A marine surveyor has also been engaged at the Takoradi Harbour by the Minerals Commission to ensure recordings of the right tonnage of exported mineral ores.”